Microsatellite analysis of five populations of Alosa braschnikowi (Borodin, 1904) across the Southern coast of the Caspian Sea

Genetic diversity studies are essential in characterization of populations and species conservation. Alosa braschnikowi is a commercially valuable species native to the Caspian Sea. It is thought to have eight to nine subspecies, but the genetics of these populations remains to be investigated. The present study was performed to evaluate the genetic population structures of Caspian marine shad (Alosa braschnikowi) in the southern coast of the Caspian Sea using six pairs of SSR markers. A total of Alosa braschnikowi 140 specimens through five locations across the southern coast of the Caspian Sea were genotyped and 130 alleles were identified. The overall mean values of Ho and He were 0.58 and 0.87, respectively, with the highest and minimum value of Ho observed in Sari (0.67 ± 0.08) and Miankaleh (0.50 ± 0.04), respectively. The overall mean value of allelic richness was 12.6. The data suggest that there was a high rate of migration between populations of Alosa braschnikowi (overall mean of Nm = 13.57), with the highest value (19.07) between Gomishan and Mahmodabad locations. AMOVA results showed that 96% of variation was related to within populations and only 4% belonged to between populations. The mean Fst value of 0.019 indicates a low level of population differentiation. Our data suggest that there may be two genetically separate populations of Alosa braschnikowi across the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and a high rate of migration is likely to limit genetic diversity between them.Microsatellite Analysis of Five Populations of Alosa braschnikowi (Borodin, 1904) Across the Southern Coast of the Caspian SeapublishedVersio

Genotyping-by-sequencing reveals the impact of restocking on wild common carp populations of the southern Caspian basin

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Integration of morphometrics and machine learning enables accurate distinction between wild and farmed common carp

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Contemplation on Competency-based Curriculum in Medical Education

Introduction: One of the approaches to explaining the relationship between education and the world of work, and reducing the gap between students’ knowledge and their professional needs is competency-based curriculum. Due to its unique characteristics, competency-based curriculum has been noticed recently by educational systems of various countries especially in medical education. Given the importance of competency approach in medical education, this paper attempts to explain this approach. Methods: This paper is a review study. The keywords competence, competency, competency-based curriculum and learning outcomes in the field of medical education were used for searching through the databases of Sagepub, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Magiran and SID from 1990-2014. Results:A total of 52 publications were reviewed. Graduates’ professional needs are of great importance in competency-based curriculum in medical education and elements of the curriculum and competency models are closely tied with these needs in any field. Conclusion: The quality of the educational system could be improved by recognition of the competency approach, the characteristics and elements of the curriculum in this approach, and also the process of designing and planning competency-based curriculum and its implementation

Prevalence of Serological Markers of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Its Related Risk Factors in Pregnant Women Referred to the Medical Diagnostic Laboratory of ACECR in Neyshabur, during 2014-2015

Introduction Mother to child transmission is one of the most common modes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The risk of transmission will be as high as 90% if a seroactivity for HBeAg find in the mother. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of HBV serological markers in pregnant women referred to the Medical Diagnostic Laboratory of ACECR in Neyshabur, northeast of Iran. Materials and Methods From June 2014 to February 2015, the all pregnant women who referred for evaluation of HBV infection (n=1283) were enrolled. The serum samples were evaluated for HBsAg by ELISA test and further analyzed to detect other markers of the infection, including HBeAg, HBeAb, total HBcAb, and IgM HBcAb. Results HBsAg found in 1.09% (14/1283) of the participants. The total HBcAb test was positive in all cases; however, the IgM anti-HBc was positive in only two (14.3%) cases. Seropositivity for HBeAg and HBeAb were reported in 2 (14.3%) and 9 (64.28%) participants, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of HBV infection in pregnant women in Neyshabur was lower than that in general population of Mashhad, capital city of Razavi Khorasan province, and general population of the whole of the country

Microsatellite analysis of five populations of Alosa braschnikowi (Borodin, 1904) across the Southern coast of the Caspian Sea

Genetic diversity studies are essential in characterization of populations and species conservation. Alosa braschnikowi is a commercially valuable species native to the Caspian Sea. It is thought to have eight to nine subspecies, but the genetics of these populations remains to be investigated. The present study was performed to evaluate the genetic population structures of Caspian marine shad (Alosa braschnikowi) in the southern coast of the Caspian Sea using six pairs of SSR markers. A total of Alosa braschnikowi 140 specimens through five locations across the southern coast of the Caspian Sea were genotyped and 130 alleles were identified. The overall mean values of Ho and He were 0.58 and 0.87, respectively, with the highest and minimum value of Ho observed in Sari (0.67 ± 0.08) and Miankaleh (0.50 ± 0.04), respectively. The overall mean value of allelic richness was 12.6. The data suggest that there was a high rate of migration between populations of Alosa braschnikowi (overall mean of Nm = 13.57), with the highest value (19.07) between Gomishan and Mahmodabad locations. AMOVA results showed that 96% of variation was related to within populations and only 4% belonged to between populations. The mean Fst value of 0.019 indicates a low level of population differentiation. Our data suggest that there may be two genetically separate populations of Alosa braschnikowi across the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and a high rate of migration is likely to limit genetic diversity between them

Exploring the driving forces and scenario analysis for catastrophic and impoverishing health expenditures in Iran

Abstract Background The extent of healthcare expenditure within households stands as a crucial indicator in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). When out-of-pocket healthcare expenses surpass household income or become unduly burdensome, it serves as a significant socio-economic alarm, resulting in a reduced quality of life, a phenomenon referred to as ‘catastrophic health expenditure (CHE).’ Multiple factors can contribute to the occurrence of CHE. The study’s objective was to identify the key uncertainties and driving forces influencing CHE to develop scenarios in Iran on the horizon of 2030. Methods This study was conducted between December 2021 and January 2023, data were collected through a literature review, and experts’ opinions were gathered via questionnaires, interviews, and expert panels. The statistical population included experts in the fields of health policy, health economics, and futures studies. Scenario Wizard software and MICMAC analysis were employed for data analysis, providing valuable insights into potential future scenarios of health expenditures in Iran. Results Based on the results of the scoping review and semi-structured interview, 65 key factors in the fields of economics, politics, technology, social, and environmental were identified. The findings of the MICMAC analysis presented 10 key variables. Finally, six main scenario spaces are depicted using Scenario Wizard. These scenarios included catastrophic cost crises, sanction relief, selective information access, technological ambiguity, induced demand management, and incremental reforms. Conclusions Each of the six drawn scenarios provides images of the future of health expenditure in Iranian households on the horizon of 2030. The worst-case scenario from all scenarios was scenario one, with the most probable and critical features to derive Iran’s health expenditures. The current study is a valuable addition to the literature depicting the key drivers that all developing nations can consider to decrease exposing households to catastrophic and impoverishing health expenditures

Policy analysis of the protection of Iranian households against catastrophic health expenditures: a qualitative analysis

Abstract Background Despite the adoption of various policies and strategies in recent decades, the Iranian health system has not succeeded in protecting households against catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) and impoverishment. Accordingly, this qualitative study aimed to critically analyze current policies for reducing CHE. Methods This qualitative study was conducted as a retrospective policy analysis based on a document review and semi-structured interviews with key informants between July to October 2022. Two theoretical frameworks were used, including the Analysis of Determinants of Policy Impact (ADEPT) model and Walt and Gilson’s “Policy Triangle framework.” The country's related documents were searched through databases. In total, 35 participants were interviewed. Interviews and documents were analyzed using directed content analysis in MAXQDA v12 software. Interobserver reliability, peer check, and member check were done to confirm the trustworthiness of the data. Results Twelve main themes and 42 sub-themes emerged from the data. The findings revealed that policy accessibility, policy background, and a clear statement of goals influenced the policy process. However, resources, monitoring and evaluation, opportunities, and obligations negatively affected the implementation process. In addition, a policy analysis based on the policy triangle framework demonstrated that the main factors affecting the policy on reducing CHE in Iran were “conflicts of interest,” “contextual factors,” “monitoring and evaluation,” and “intersectoral relationship” factors. Conclusion The present study reflected the multifaceted nature of the barriers to reducing CHE in Iran. The implementation of the policy on reducing CHE requires the political will to improve intersectoral collaboration, strengthen the stewardship role of the Ministry of Health, design monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and prevent personal and organizational conflicts of interest

Acute Toxicity and Behavioral Changes Associated with Diazinon in Rutilus rutilus caspicus and Hypophthalmicthys molitrix

Background: Diazinon is an organophosphorous pesticide which widely found in municipal, agricultural, and urban storm water discharges. The present study was conducted to achieve lethal concentration (LC50) and behavioral changes of Rutilus rutilus caspius and Hypophthal-micthys molitrix after exposure to lethal concentration of diazinon. Methods: The experiment was carried out in static conditions, based on instructions of OECD in 4 days under controlled water physicochemical conditions with pH of 7.2±0.2, oxygen of 7±0.3 mg/l, total hardness of 180 mg CaCo3 and temperature of 24±1 C°. All fishes were accli-matized in 400 L aquaria for 10 days. Treated aquaria had concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 ppm of diazinon for H. molitrix, and 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, and 20 for R. rutilus caspi-cus, while there was no toxic concentration for the control group. LC1, LC10, LC30, LC50, LC70, LC90, and LC99 were calculated for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Results: LC50 96h diazinon values were 3.93 and 1.71 ppm for H. molitrix and R. rutilus caspi-cus, respectively. Clinical observation revealed that the poisoned fishes suffered from nerve paralysis syndrome. The fishes exhibited irregular, erratic, and darting swimming movements, severe aching, and collapse to the bottom of the aquarium. Conclusion: These findings suggest that diazinon has medium toxicity at low concentrations for thede two species and causes morbidities